News
Tennessee Tech to host live chat with NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station
NASA astronaut and Tennessee Tech alumnus Barry “Butch” Wilmore is photographed at
NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Photo by Robert Markowitz/NASA.
Note: The time and date of this event are likely to change as a result of the Boeing
Starliner's postponed launch, now set to occur no earlier than Friday, May 10. The
university will share further details as they become available.
Tennessee Tech University will host a video chat with NASA astronaut, university trustee
and two-time alumnus Barry “Butch” Wilmore live from the International Space Station
on Friday, May 10th at 2:45 p.m. CT in the Multipurpose Room of the Roaden University
Center on Tech’s campus. The event is free and open to the community.
Wilmore and fellow astronaut Suni Williams are set to launch on Monday, May 6 at 9:34
p.m. CT as part of the Boeing Crew Flight Test bound for the International Space Station
aboard the Starliner aircraft and United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket.
During the live event on May 10, Tech will host local students who will ask questions
of Wilmore. While media and the public will not have an opportunity to ask questions,
all are invited to attend to show their support. The conversation will air live on
NASA TV and will be shared afterwards on the agency’s digital platforms.
“Tennessee Tech is deeply proud to have Butch Wilmore as an alumnus, trustee and friend,”
said Tech President Phil Oldham. “Through his incredible career achievements, Butch
shows our students what a Tech degree makes possible and what it means to live a life
of service and impact. The entire Golden Eagle community is cheering him on.”
Oldham continued, “From his years on our football team, to his time on our Board of
Trustees, to this historic event, Butch’s indelible mark on our campus is undeniable.
We are grateful that he remains closely connected to Tech and we express our utmost
gratitude to NASA for making this event possible.”
Wilmore recently previewed his upcoming video chat in a conversation with reporters,
calling his alma mater “the finest university in the nation."
Wilmore holds two degrees and an honorary doctorate from Tech. The Mt. Juliet, Tenn.
native is a member of the university’s Sports Hall of Fame and the recipient of Tech’s
2010 Outstanding Alumni Award for the College of Engineering. His term on the university’s
Board of Trustees extends from 2017 to 2026.
What: Live chat with NASA astronaut and Tennessee Tech alumnus Barry “Butch” Wilmore from
the International Space Station
When: Friday, May 10 at 2:45 PM CDT
Where: Multipurpose Room (Rm. 282) of the Roaden University Center, 1000 N. Dixie Ave., Cookeville
Media: Open press. Note: While the event does not provide an opportunity for media to speak
directly with Butch, all responses to student questions are considered on-the-record.
Tech administrators will also be available to discuss Butch’s impact and contributions
to campus.
